Spotify's current subscription tiers and what you pay each month
Spotify offers four paid tiers in the United States: Free (ad-supported, no monthly cost), Premium ($11.99/month), Duo ($16.99/month for two accounts), and Family ($19.99/month for up to six accounts). A Student plan also exists at $6.99/month if you have a valid .edu email address. These prices are current as of early 2024, but Spotify has raised prices multiple times over the past few years, and the company has signaled it may do so again.
The Free tier lets you listen to unlimited music with ads and shuffle-only playback on mobile. Premium removes ads, allows offline downloads, and gives you on-demand song selection on any device. Duo and Family are the same as Premium but split across multiple people — Duo covers two accounts at one address, and Family covers up to six household members, each with their own library and recommendations.
Prices vary outside the United States. Canada, the UK, Australia, and most European countries have different monthly costs, often adjusted for local currency and market conditions. If you use a VPN or move between countries, Spotify may adjust your billing to match your actual location.
Key Takeaways
- Premium costs $11.99 per month in the US, with Duo at $16.99 and Family at $19.99, though prices have risen several times since 2020.
- Student plans cost $6.99 per month if you have a valid university email address, and the discount typically lasts for four years.
- Spotify's Free tier is ad-supported and limits you to shuffle play on mobile devices, while all paid tiers offer on-demand playback and offline downloads.
- International prices differ by country and currency, and Spotify bills you based on your actual location, not your payment method's country.
Why Spotify raises prices and how often it happens
Spotify pays rights holders — record labels, publishers, and artists — a percentage of its revenue. As those costs rise and the company pursues profitability, it passes some of that increase to subscribers. The company also invests in features like podcasts, audiobooks, and improved recommendation algorithms, which adds to operating costs.
Spotify raised US Premium prices from $9.99 to $10.99 in October 2022, then to $11.99 in July 2023. Family and Duo prices rose at the same time. The company does not announce price increases on a fixed schedule — they happen when leadership decides the market will bear them, which may be every 12 to 24 months or longer. There is no way to lock in a current price permanently; if you stay subscribed, you will pay the new rate when Spotify implements it.
Existing subscribers typically receive an email notification 30 days before a price change takes effect. New subscribers pay the current price immediately. If you cancel and rejoin later, you will pay whatever the price is at that time.
How to check your current Spotify bill
Open Spotify on any device and go to your Account settings. Select "Subscription" or "Billing" (the exact label varies by app version). You will see your current plan, the monthly cost, and your next billing date. On the web version at spotify.com, log in, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Account," then choose "Subscription" to see the same information.
Your payment method and billing history also appear in Account settings. If you have multiple subscriptions (for example, a personal Premium and a Family plan), each will show separately. Spotify does not charge setup fees or hidden costs — the price shown is what you pay each month.
Student discounts and how long they last
Spotify's Student plan costs $6.99 per month and requires verification through SheerID, a third-party service that checks your university enrollment. You need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment. The discount is available for up to four years, after which your account converts to a regular Premium subscription at the full $11.99 rate.
To sign up, go to spotify.com/student and follow the verification steps. If you lose student status before four years pass — for example, you graduate or leave school — Spotify may ask you to re-verify. If you cannot, your account will switch to Premium pricing. Some universities also offer Spotify through their student benefits programs, which may have different terms.
What happens if you do not pay or your payment method fails
If your payment fails, Spotify sends you a notification and typically gives you a few days to update your payment method. During that window, your Premium features remain active. If payment is not received after several attempts, Spotify suspends your account and downgrades you to Free (ad-supported) access.
You can reactivate a suspended account by updating your payment method in Account settings. There is no penalty or reactivation fee — you simply resume where you left off. If you intentionally cancel your subscription, you lose access to offline downloads and ad-free listening immediately, though your playlists and saved songs remain in your account if you rejoin later.
Family plans and how billing works when members change
A Spotify Family plan costs $19.99 per month and covers up to six people at the same address. Each member has their own account, library, and recommendations. The person who pays the bill is the account owner and can remove or add members at any time through the Family settings.
If a member leaves the Family plan, they lose Premium access and revert to Free. The owner can invite a replacement member, and there is no refund for partial months. If members live at different addresses, Spotify may flag the account and ask for verification, though enforcement varies. The company's terms state that Family plans are for household members, but the definition of "household" is not strictly enforced in practice.
Comparing Spotify to other music streaming services
Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal all offer similar pricing in the $10–$12 range for individual plans. Apple Music costs $10.99 per month, Amazon Music Unlimited is $11.99, YouTube Music Premium is $13.99, and Tidal HiFi is $14.99. Family plans range from $16.99 to $24.99 depending on the service. Student discounts are available from most competitors as well, typically at $5–$7 per month.
The choice between services often comes down to device compatibility, sound quality, podcast availability, and which service integrates with devices you already own. Spotify's main advantages are its recommendation algorithm and podcast library. Apple Music integrates tightly with iPhones and Macs. Amazon Music comes free with Prime membership. Tidal emphasizes high-fidelity audio. None of these services offer significant price advantages over the others anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if Spotify raises my price?
No. Spotify does not offer refunds when prices increase. You can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, and you will stop being charged on your next billing date. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until that date.
Does Spotify offer annual plans instead of monthly billing?
Spotify does not sell annual subscriptions in the United States. You can only pay month-to-month. Some countries may have different options, but the standard is monthly billing everywhere.
What is the difference between Spotify Premium and Spotify Free?
Premium removes ads, allows you to skip songs and choose exactly what to play on mobile, and lets you download music for offline listening. Free is ad-supported, limits you to shuffle play on phones, and requires an internet connection. Both tiers have unlimited listening hours.
If I share my Spotify password with someone, will they be charged?
No. Sharing a password lets someone use your account, but they will not be charged separately. However, Spotify's terms prohibit account sharing outside your household. The company has tested features to detect and block shared accounts, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
Can I downgrade from Family to Premium and get a partial refund?
No refunds are issued for downgrades. If you switch from Family ($19.99) to Premium ($11.99), you simply stop paying the higher amount on your next billing date. There is no credit for the difference.